002 Suspicion

Because she had slept poorly the night before, Fang Yuxin didn't get up until almost nine in the morning. After changing her clothes and going out, she saw Qu Qianhe sitting on the living room sofa. Qu Qianhe was reading a magazine, and upon hearing footsteps, she looked up. Then, she put down the magazine and looked at Fang Yuxin gently, "Hungry, aren't you? Go ahead and sit down, I'll have Aunt Li get you something to eat."

Without waiting for Fang Yuxin to reply, she called out, "Aunt Li, bring Xinxin some breakfast."

Aunt Li, who was busy in the kitchen, responded immediately, and soon she came out with a tray. The breakfast was simple yet nutritious. Fang Yuxin was already hungry, and the scent made her feel even more uncomfortable. The fragrant and tender seafood porridge stimulated her sensitive taste buds as soon as it entered her mouth, enticing her cravings.

Fang Yuxin almost wolfed down the porridge, looking like a refugee who hadn't eaten for a very long time. This startled both Qu Qianhe and Aunt Li. Aunt Li couldn't help but say, "Ma'am? What's with Xinxin? Why is she so hungry?"

Qu Qianhe thought of the scream Fang Yuxin emitted at dawn, and her brow furrowed slightly. Fang Yuxin's behavior was off in every aspect. She was waiting here out of concern for Fang Yuxin, intending to give her a good talking to once she woke up, but now that Fang Yuxin's way of eating had changed, she was shaken and found herself at a loss for words.

Fang Yuxin quickly finished the rest of her breakfast, and then, holding the empty porridge bowl, she said to Aunt Li, "Aunt Li, is there any more porridge? Could you please serve me another bowl? I want more."

Aunt Li looked at Qu Qianhe with difficulty. She felt that Fang Yuxin had eaten quite a bit, even more than usual. If she continued to eat, it could be harmful. Aunt Li had studied some nutrition and valued health, preferring to eat until only eight-tenths full, so the situation was quite awkward.

Qu Qianhe shook her head at her, "That's enough."

Hearing this, Aunt Li quickly cleared the dishes away, fearful that Fang Yuxin would continue eating. A moment of confusion flashed across Fang Yuxin's face, then she lowered her head and clenched her fists tightly. The dream from last night had been so real; enduring the struggle for survival in the apocalypse and the uncertainty of living another day, Fang Yuxin subconsciously felt hungry, as if she could never eat enough.

But upon careful reflection, she realized she was actually full, even a bit bloated. Qu Qianhe pulled her onto the sofa and gently stroked her head, her voice filled with concern, "Xinxin, are you all right? Tell mom, what exactly is the matter? Is it because of last night's nightmare? What did you dream about?"

Fang Yuxin couldn't hold back and hurled herself into Qu Qianhe's embrace, hugging her tightly. Qu Qianhe's body carried a light and pleasant tea scent, calming and heart-soothing, very different from the strong fragrance that emanated from Fang Mengyao in the dream.

Feeling the soft warmth of Qu Qianhe's body, Fang Yuxin gradually calmed down—Qu Qianhe was still alive, and so were her father and brother. This was truly a relief! As for Fang Mengyao, she believed she would find out the truth!

Feeling Qu Qianhe's worried gaze, Fang Yuxin felt a wave of shame and said, "Mom, I'm sorry, I can't tell you right now, but don't worry, I'll be fine soon!"

Qu Qianhe had no choice but to let it go, "Alright, if you won't tell me, then come with mom to go shopping." In fact, her intention was to take Fang Yuxin out to distract her.

Fang Yuxin didn't refuse, but once outside, confronted by the towering skyscrapers and bustling crowd, she wished she could flee and be by herself. Qu Qianhe grasped her wrist tightly, and seeing her panicked expression, she couldn't help frowning and asking, "Xinxin, are you really okay? Shall we go to the hospital?"

The hospital? No way! Absolutely not! Just then, a news report was playing on the TV screen in the neighboring store, announcing a global outbreak of influenza, urging citizens to be cautious, and to seek medical attention promptly. Fang Yuxin instantly remembered that in her dream, a global influenza had also occurred, with many people suffering from persistent fevers. When the apocalypse hit, the hospitals became the most dangerous places, and almost nobody escaped; everyone turned into zombies.

So she instinctively said, "No! We can't go to the hospital!" Because her tone was so severe, the people around her couldn't help but glance sideways, looking at her in surprise.

Qu Qianhe quickly pulled Fang Yuxin away without continuing the topic of going to the hospital, but Fang Yuxin was still preoccupied with the news she had just heard. She silently counted the time, and if that dream was real, the apocalypse would be in a month's time. She must do something in advance! With that thought, Fang Yuxin took out her phone and made a call to her assistant. She had used her savings to buy a villa in the newly developed area in the west of the city and had handed over the task of decorating it to her assistant.

The phone rang for only a short time before the assistant answered, "Hello? Mr. Fang? Is there something you need?"

Fang Yuxin immediately asked, "How's the decoration of the villa in the west?"

Assistant: "It's more than halfway done. What's wrong, Mr. Fang?"

Fang Yuxin remembered the scale of the villa and said, "Send me the information by email. You don't have to handle this anymore; I'll take care of it personally. Also, how's the supermarket business going?"

Although the assistant was curious, she cleverly asked no questions, only responding, "Okay, I will package the information and send it to you later. Also, the supermarket business is quite good, but quite a few employees have called in sick with a fever and have been admitted to the hospital. We are short-handed; Mr. Fang, do you think we should hire some temporary workers?"

Fang Yuxin thought for a moment and then said directly, "No need for that. I have other plans for the supermarket. Notify everyone that there will be a meeting at half-past two in the afternoon. I have something to announce. That's it; I'm hanging up now." After saying that, she hung up the phone.

Qu Qianhe had been silent just now, but once she saw Fang Yuxin had finished the call, she couldn't help asking, "Xinxin, what are you planning to do?"

Fang Yuxin didn't keep her in the dark and simply shared her plans, "Mom, I'm thinking of closing the supermarket first."

Qu Qianhe, perplexed, asked, "Close it? Why would you do that? Even if you want to expand, you could just rent the space next door. Can't you continue doing business while renovating?"

Fang Yuxin smiled and said, "Mom, don't worry about it. I have my plans."

Seeing her finally smile, Qu Qianhe's eyes gradually brightened, and her complexion improved significantly compared to before; she no longer looked like a frightened bird. She was reassured and did not press Fang Yuxin about what exactly she intended to do.

A smile played on Fang Yuxin's face, and the shadows cast by her eyelashes perfectly masked the darkness in her eyes. The Fang Family's home and supermarket were part of a large, affordable supermarket chain, managed by Fang Yuxin herself. The Fang Family didn't open this supermarket to make money; the prices were only slightly higher than the wholesale cost, and the quality control was extremely strict. The goal was charity work. They offered cards for the elderly, subsistence allowances, and disabled certificates, allowing such customers to get a membership at the supermarket, receive discounts when shopping, and even enjoy home delivery services.

As a result, the supermarket hardly made any profit and even operated at a loss every year. Moreover, the Fang Family also established a charity foundation to support those in need. But despite all this, after the apocalypse arrived, not only was the home and supermarket looted, but Fang Mengyao also slandered the Fang Family as 'hypocritical,' 'faking charity,' and 'putting on a show,' and many people believed her. Not a single person stood with the Fang Family.

Fang Yuxin felt disheartened! But another reason she decided to close the supermarket was that she needed to stockpile supplies!